2 Nucleic acids

AQA Biology Checklist

Nucleic acids

Specification Checklist
reference questions

Can you explain that deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid
3.1.5.1 (RNA)
are important information-carrying molecules?

3.1.5.1 Can you describe how DNA holds genetic information in all living cells?

Can you describe how RNA transfers genetic information from DNA to the
3.1.5.2
ribosomes?

3.1.5.2 Can you describe how ribosomes are formed from RNA and proteins?

3.1.5.2 Can you explain that both DNA and RNA are polymers of nucleotides?

Can you describe how nucleotides are formed from a pentose, a nitrogen-
3.1.5.2
containing organic base and a phosphate group?

3.1.5.2 Can you draw the structure of a nucleotide?

Can you list the components of a DNA nucleotide: deoxyribose; a

3.1.5.2 phosphate group; one of the organic bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, or
thymine?

Can you list the components of an RNA nucleotide: ribose; a phosphate

3.1.5.2
group; one of the organic bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, or uracil?

Can you explain how a phosphodiester bond is formed from a

3.1.5.2
condensation reaction between two nucleotides?

Can you describe the structure of a DNA molecule: a double helix with two
3.1.5.2 polynucleotide chains held together by hydrogen bonds between specific
complementary base pairs?

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 2 Nucleic acids
AQA Biology Checklist

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reference questions

Can you describe the structure of an RNA molecule: a relatively short

3.1.5.2
polynucleotide chain?

Can you explain how the relative simplicity of DNA led many scientists to
3.1.5.2
doubt that it carried the genetic code?

Can you explain that the semi-conservative replication of DNA ensures

3.1.5.2
genetic continuity between generations of cells?

Can you describe the process of semi-conservative replication of DNA:

 the double helix unwinding
 hydrogen bonds between complementary bases in the
polynucleotide strands breaking
3.1.5.2  DNA unwinding and breaking its hydrogen bonds (and the role of
DNA helicase in this)
 attraction of new DNA nucleotides to exposed bases on template
strands and base pairing
 the condensation reaction that joins adjacent nucleotides (and the
role of DNA polymerase in this)?

Can you evaluate the work of scientists in validating the Watson–Crick

3.1.5.2
model of DNA replication?

Can you describe how a single molecule of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

3.1.6
is a nucleotide derivative?

Can you describe how a single molecule of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

3.1.6 is formed from a molecule of ribose, a molecule of adenine and three
phosphate groups?

Can you draw the structure of a single molecule of adenosine triphosphate

3.1.6
(ATP)?

Can you describe Hydrolysis of ATP to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and

3.1.6 an inorganic phosphate group (Pi) is catalysed by the enzyme ATP
hydrolase?

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AQA Biology Checklist

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reference questions

Can you explain how the hydrolysis of ATP can be coupled to energy-
3.1.6
requiring reactions within cells?

Can you explain that the inorganic phosphate released during the
3.1.6 hydrolysis of ATP can be used to phosphorylate other compounds, often
making them more reactive?

Can you explain how ATP is resynthesised by the condensation of ADP

3.1.6
and Pi?

Can you describe how the condensation of ADP and Pi is catalysed by the
3.1.6
enzyme ATP synthase during photosynthesis, or during respiration?

3.1.7 Can you explain that water is a major component of cells?

Can you explain that water is a metabolite in many metabolic reactions,

3.1.7
including condensation and hydrolysis reactions?

Can you explain that water an important solvent in which metabolic

3.1.7
reactions occur?

Can you explain that water has a relatively high heat capacity, buffering
3.1.7
changes in temperature?

Can you explain that water has a relatively large latent heat of
3.1.7 vaporisation, providing a cooling effect with little loss of water through
evaporation?

Can you explain that water has strong cohesion between water molecules;
3.1.7 this supports columns of water in the tube-like transport cells of plants and
produces surface tension where water meets air?

Can you describe how inorganic ions occur in solution in the cytoplasm
3.1.8
and body fluids of organisms, in high or very low concentrations?

3.1.8 Can you explain that each type of ion has a specific role, depending on its
properties?

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 2 Nucleic acids
AQA Biology Checklist

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reference questions

Can you recognise the role of ions in the following topics: hydrogen ions
and pH; iron ions as a component of haemoglobin; sodium ions in the co-
3.1.8
transport of glucose and amino acids; and phosphate ions as components
of DNA and of ATP?

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